Black History Month, February 2024
This page honors the university-wide events, programs, conversations and opportunities to celebrate Black History Month and beyond. The events will be updated throughout the end of February and BHM 365 will take place during the Spring semester. Please check this page regularly to celebrate Black Joy, culture, community, strength, and Black futures.
Campus Wide Events Created For Students By Students
Campus-Wide Events
These events are brought to you by the Office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI), African American Studies Advisory Board, Black Achievement, Success, and Engagement (BASE), Black Community Council, Black Resource Center (BRC), Counseling and Psychological Services, Cultural Centers, the Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice, the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, the Office of the Provost, USF School of Education, and Student Engagement.
Silk Speaker Series, Dr. Clarence Jones and Sterling K. Brown in Conversation
Date: Tuesday, February 6
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Sobrato Center
Brought to you by: Silk, Student Engagement, Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice, Office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Audience: All are welcome
The Silk Speaker Series at University of San Francisco is proud to present "Leadership and Legacy: An Evening with Dr. Clarence B. Jones and Sterling K. Brown," in partnership with the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice.
Sterling K. Brown, Emmy-winning actor, will take to the stage with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, former lawyer, political advisor and draft speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Co-Founder and Director Emeritus of the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice. The two will discuss Dr. Jones’ book, Last of the Lions: An African American Journey in Memoir, and their personal journeys in social justice advocacy.
All guests will receive a free copy of Dr. Jones' book.
"Engineered Conflict: School Closings, Public Housing, Law Enforcement and the Future of Black Life" David Stovall in Conversation with David Philoxene
Date: Thursday, February 8
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Fromm Hall, Maraschi Room
Brought to you by: USF School of Education's Center for Humanizing Education & Research (C-HER)
Audience: All are welcome
Join us for an enlightening and thought-provoking evening as the USF School of Education's Center for Humanizing Education & Research (C-HER)proudly presents "Engineered Conflict: School Closings, Public Housing, Law Enforcement, and the Future of Black Life." In this dynamic event, esteemed scholar David Stovall engages in a compelling conversation with David Philoxene, delving into critical issues that intersect at the crossroads of education, housing, law enforcement, and the Black experience.
The Forgotten Occupation - Film Screening
Date: Thursday, February 22
Time: 10:00 am - 12:45 pm
Location: Mclaren 250
Brought to you by: African American Studies cosponsored by Office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office of the Provost
Audience: All are welcome
“Brunel Martin came of age during Haiti’s brutal occupation at the hands of United States Marines. Yet, he went on to become a fierce advocate of the country that destroyed his. A decade after his death, his grandson writes him a letter trying to reconcile the contradictions.”
Includes screening of the film, "The Forgotten Occupation," and a Q&A with the director.
Volunteer for Black Joy Parade
Date: Sunday, February 25
Time: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: Downtown Oakland, CA - the parade goes from 14th St. to 19th St. on Franklin St
Audience: All are welcome
The USF Black Alumni Society will have a booth at the Black Joy Parade on Sunday, February 25. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are invited to stop by and connect with BAS for games, swag, and celebration.
Melanated Mental Health Mondays: Continuing the Rebellion
Date: Monday February 26
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Toler Room 122 (Romero Room)
Brought to you by: Counseling and Psychological Services, Black Achievement Success and Engagement
Audience: All are welcome
Melanated Mental Health Mondays is a monthly workshop series for USF Students from Black and African-diaspora communities. This workshop series focuses on topics impacting the mental health of Black-identified students at USF. Series supported by CAPS and BASE.
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Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience - Film Screening
Date: Wednesday, February 28
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Cowell Hall Room 106
Brought to you by: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Diversity in STEM Council, Black Achievement Success and Engagement
Audience: All are welcome
"Journeys of Black Mathematicians presents a panorama of 60 remarkable achievers, starting with Edward Bouchet, whose doctorate in physics from Yale University in 1876 marked the first time an African American earned a graduate degree from an American university."
All are welcome to join Math Tea for snacks and drinks before the film at 2:45pm in the Getty Lounge.
Pop-Up Art Exhibition: Being Black at USF
Brought to you by: African American Studies, Thacher Gallery
Audience: All are welcome
Submit your work for the archive
We are excited to announce that this project is moving online! The African American Studies department received many fabulous, illuminating submissions, including podcasts, videos, and more that are better suited for a virtual space. This showcase will be transformed into a virtual archive maintained even after Black History Month ends (remember, Black history matters 366 days a year). If you have questions, please contact Professors Zachary Reese, Rivka Louissant, and Chloe Hunt.
Visions of the Past, Islands of the Future, new work by Rivka Valérie Louissaint
Date: Wednesday, March 6
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Thacher Gallery
Brought to you by: Thacher Gallery and the Global Feminist Forum
Audience: All are welcome
Visions of the Past, Islands of the Future explores the multifaceted realities of the African Diaspora by putting the histories of Haiti and Cuba on center stage, inviting us to draw lessons and imagine the sustainable future we can create together. This interdisciplinary exhibition includes paintings and performance, and a strong engagement with social and political history, indigeneity, and ecology. The artist, Rivka Valérie Louissaint, is a current Gerardo Marín Fellow at USF.
The exhibition opens Wednesday, Mar. 6 with a performance and celebration from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and closes April 14.
Throughout Black History Month
One Community, One Book
Date: Spring 2024
Brought to you by: Office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office of the Provost
Audience: All are welcome
Register to receive a copy of the book for yourself or your class.
One Community, One Book supports the education of the whole person and a commitment to faith that works for justice. The shared reading experience and facilitated discussions around the topic of anti-racism calls on the participants to reflect on their experiences in the context of our larger community, helping them to understand and respond to racial injustice in their lives and in the world around them.
The readings and discussions guided students to examine their own experiences and values, and expanded their understanding of racism and systemic oppression in the United States. With this foundational knowledge, participants continued the process of transforming words into actions to change the world from here.
Finding BLK Intersections: Mixed Meet-Up
Date: Thursday, February 8
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Intercultural Center (UC 411/412)
Brought to you by: Intercultural Center
Audience: Students
Join us in a celebration of diversity and unity as we bond and make connections within our multiracial and multiethnic community. This event will serve as a mixer of black intersectionalities, with activities centered around community building.
Finding BLK Voices: Lyricist Lounge
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: UC 4th Floor Lounge
Brought to you by: Cultural Centers
Audience: Students
For this month's Lyricist Lounge we’re repping Black voices like never before! Step into an evening dedicated to the depth of Black voices, and immerse yourself in the aura of good people & performances. For Black History Month let’s come together and share our stories!
Finding BLK Community: Field Day
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: James-Lang Soccer Fields
Brought to you by: USF African Student Association, UC Berkeley Nigerian Students Association
Audience: Students
An event filled with games, community building, conversation, and African cultural celebration. In collaboration with Berkeley's Nigerian Student Association, our goal is to build a bridge between Black and African students all across the bay in order to unite within our Blackness and our cultural heritage and upbringings during this sacred month of Black history.
Finding BLK Love: Let's Talk About Love
Date: Tuesday, February 13
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: McLaren 250
Brought to you by: Black Student Union and African Student Association
Audience: Students
Join us for hot topics surrounding love, dating and relationship in college.
Finding BLK Love: Speed Dating
Date: Tuesday, February 13
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Koret Lodge
Brought to you by: Black Student Union, BC, African Student Association, Student Engagement
Audience: Students
An two-part evening. The first part is a community discussion surrounding the idea of "black love " on a pwi campus (McLaren 250) and the second part is a speed dating event for those interested.
Finding BLK Sisterhood: Shades of Sisterhood
Date: Wednesday, February 14,
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Lone Mountain - 100 (Handley Room)
Brought to you by: Sister Connection
Audience: Students
A vibrant evening celebrating the essence of Black sisterhood—where we come together for meaningful talks, collaborative activities, and shared experiences that resonate with each of us.
Finding BLK Love: Silent Disco
Date: Friday, February 16
Time: 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Location: McLaren 250
Brought to you by: Black Student Union
Join BSU for Lovers and Friends edition a unique musical experience you won't want to miss! The beats will be pulsating, but the catch is, we will provide you with a pair of headphones to groove to the rhythm.
Finding BLK Culture: Cultural Cuisine Night
Date: Tuesday, February 20
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: UC 4th Floor Lounge
Brought to you by: ASA x EESA in partnership with Cultural Centers
Audience: Students
A night filled with the sweet and flavorful aroma of cultural dishes rooted in African heritage and community gathering. Come cook an amazing cultural dish with us and enjoy conversation about the role that food and cuisine plays within our cultural upbringing and where we come from.
Finding BLK Dialogue: Barbershop Talk
Date: Wednesday, February 21
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: UC 4th Floor Lounge
Brought to you by: Brother Connection
Audience: Students
Get chopped and chop it up with Brother Connection! We will recreate the universal safe space for Black men that is the barbershop with services provided by our on campus barbers.
Finding BLK Joy: Black Joy Event
Date: Friday, February 23
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: McLaren 250
Brought to you by: University Ministry, Black Achievement Success and Engagement, Black Alumni Society
Audience: Students
The 3rd Annual Black Joy Event invites all students apart of the Black Diaspora to join us in a day of joy. There will be performances, a talent show, a fashion show, and games to unite students to celebrate what blackness means to them.
Alumni Night: Celebrating the Legacy of Black Graduate Students at USF
Date: Friday, March 8
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: McLaren Conference Center
Brought to you by: Black Graduate Student Association at USF
Audience: All are welcome, centering Black Graduate Students
Join the Black Graduate Students Association for our Alumni Night as we celebrate the contributions, resilience, excellence, and indelible mark that Black Graduate Students have made on the USF community. Engage in a dynamic panel of USF Black Women Graduate Alumni through the years followed by a reception with food and refreshments for alumni, staff, faculty, and current graduate students to network with one another. Please RSVP by March 1st to secure your entrance.